Automatic cut-tube-sorting machine



AP I H. DE F. MADDEN ET AL AUTOMATIC CUT TUBE SORTING MACHINE Filed May 9. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3140244 5010 HARRY D- HHDDE'N JOHN J. H/q q/NS Ema April 5 1927.

H. DE F. MADDEN ET AL AUTOMATIC CUT TUBE SORTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1921 INVENTORS HAARY 0. MADDEN HN J H/Q 4; INS

ATTORNEY Apr 9 H. DE F. MADDEN ET AL.

AUTOMATIC CUT TUBE SO RTING MACHINE Filed May 9. 1 921 4 SheetS -Sheet 5 INVENTORs 64 HHAR Y 0. HFlDDE/V JOHN J. fllqq/Ns 5 1927 I 1623 352 I H. DE F. MADDEN ET AL AUTOMATIC CUT TUBE SORTING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed May 9. 1921 INVENTORS Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFrIc- HARRY DE FOREST MADDEN, OF NEWARK, AND JOHN JOSEPH HIGGINS, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGHOUSE LAMP COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF PENN SYLVANLAF A'U'TOMATIC CUT-TUBE-SORTING MACHINE.

Application filed May 9,

gauged articles to an instrument for calibre tion, and then separate articles of given di- VIIIQIISIODS into groups. I

Although the machine, as contemplated by the present invention, is adapted for gauging and assorting a variety of species of tubular articles,-it is illustrated in the appended drawings and described herein as being used for gauging and assorting relatively short lengths of such glass tubes as are used in connection with the manufacture of-incandescent-electric-lamp parts.

In the manufacture oflamp parts, as, for instance, the lamp stems which support the filaments, a substantial uniformity of dimensions is desirable in order that the parts,

when assembled in a machine, may be automatically aligned for the production of a complete stem of-the desired accuracy.

lVhen manufacturing the said lamp parts,

it has been found preferable to use commercial glass tubing for the reason that such tubing is comparatively low in cost and may be quickly and convenientlyobtained.

.However, commercial tubing is usuall v manufactured in sections of several feet in length and inherently possess dimensional their respective dimensions; and the present embodiment of the'inventio'n is particularly adapted to gauge and assort such short PEBCOS of tubing, thereby making it possible to maintain the adjustment of certain lamp part-producing machinery for receiving a given size of tube. By thus providing av source of supply of tubes of given dimensions. the invention indirectly contributes to promote the efficiency of certain lampmanufacturing machinery.

My invention will best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings which are illustrative of one embodiment-of the invention and in which 1 is a side elevational view of a 1921. Serial No. 468,125.

tube-gauging machine, partly in section, and with some of ,the calibrating mechanism removed;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the "upper part of the machine; v

Fig. is a diagrammaticplan view of the mechanism which drives the operative parts of the machine, the gauging members being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of a pair of calipers and a support or carrier therefor and including a portion of the platform-for carryingtube-receiving pins; 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the calibrating device with one of the calipers removed;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a caliper, with a portion of the carrier shown in section;

Fig. 7 shows a caliper about to be moved into an upper position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of one of the tube hoppers and chutes leading to one of the tube-receiving pins;

Fig. 9 is a plan view taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a portion of the chute and stop mechanism shown in'Fig. .8; and

Fig. 11 is a transversecross-section taken 'on line XX in Fig. 10.v

preferred form of mechanism for practicin my invention comprises means for guiding tubes to-a tube-gauging element, which is provided with one or more apertures through which the tubes pass to be gauged for their outside diameters. The

gauged tubes are then collected into groups of like outside diameters, and the tubes of each group are transported to a con- /veyor which guides them into given positions adjacent to a calibrating element which is actuated to caliper the wall thickness. Following thisopcration. other means operate to cause the tubes of given wall thickness to be collected into other separate groups.

rapidly and easily assorted into groups of given dimensions, [without] the exercise of any particular skill and with but a small amount of attention on the part of the operator.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1', the members which constitute the gauging means may be mounted upon. any suitable supporting structure which, as shown, preferably consists of a plate 2 secured to legs 3 and includes standards 4 and 5 for carrying a cross-member 6.

The mechanism for supporting the ganging means in an inclined position on the standard 4 preferably comprises bearings 7 and 8 in which are pivoted rods 12 which, in turn, adjustably support the gauging The upper ends of the rods are threaded and extend through lugs 13 of a crosshead 14; and the standard 5 has pivoted thereto a crosshead 15. The crossheads are each provided with laterally disposed projections 17 and 18, the projections 17 serving as bearin s for a roller 23, which, is one of a air 0 rollers 23 and 24 mounted on suita lile shafts to constitute, in the present embodiment of the invention, the gauging members. The roller 24 is supported in adjustable bearings 25 which are mounted movably on rods 26 secured in the projections 17 and 18 of the cross-heads 14 and 15. j

The bearings 25,'being movable upon the rods 26, permit an adjustment of the distance between the gauging members or rollers 23 and 24. A suitably threaded portion is provided upon the rods 26, and the bearings 25 may thus be maintained in any given position by means of nuts screwed tightly against the sides thereof. 1

For the purpose'of conveying the tubes lengthwise of the gauging apertures, the

V rollers 23 and 24 are rotated; the roller 24 being connected to a supplemental drive shaft 27 by means of a universal coupling 30.

The shaft 27 is supported in-ar. extended bearing 31 fastened to the standard 5 and is rotated by means of a pulley 32 secured thereto and connected by a belt 33 to a pulley 34 which is secured to a horizontal shaft 35. This shaft is preferably driven by means of its connection to a main drive i shaft- 36 (see.Fig. 3), which, in turn, may

derive motion from any suitable source of power as, for instance, by a belt connection between a pulley 37 secured thereto and a pulley fastened to the shaft of a motor (not shown p and 36 consists in the engagement of an endless chain 38 with chain sheaves 40 and 41 secured to shafts 35 and, 36 respectively. The said shafts are preferably journaled in suitable floor stand shaft-bearings 42 and 43 secured to a shelf 44 which is fastened to the legs 3,

The connection between the shafts An opposite andsimnltaneous rotation of the shafts and, consequently, the rollers 23 and 24 may be produced by means of two meshing spurgears 45 and 46 which are secured to the respective shafts. It is obvious that, if desirable, one of the rollers may be made to serve as a stationary member, in which case the gears 45 and 46 may be omitted. i

parallel and are positioned in a common in-v clined plane. This disposition of the rollers provides an aperture therebetween of var ing widths throughout the length of tlie rollers. Each pair of opposed cylinders of equal diameter provides what will be here- 'inafter termed, a gauging aperture, and the number of such apertures will be by the steps in the rollers. It is therefore overned obvious that the number of such steps may be increased or decreased according to the desired range of tubes of given. diameters to be assorted. The present embodiment of ,s the invention shows four such apertures, 51,

.' 52, 53, and 54. The rollers, together with the apertures therebetween, will hereinafter be termed a gauging element.

'The angle of the plane in which the ganging elementis supported may be varied by the adjustable screw connection between the lugs 13 and the threaded ends of the rods 12. Means, in the form of locknuts, being provided to secure the lugs and rods in a given position to ma1 nta1n' the crossheads 14 and 15 and, consequently, the rollers 23 and 24 in a given plane.

The tubes to be gauged and separated are fed to the'rolle'rs and are guided first to the smaller aperture 51, and any tubes, the

diameters of which may be smaller than the width of the saidaperture 51, drop through and are guided to a suitablecompartment. This initial aperture therefore serves as a means of elimination for all tubes having ,diameters below the minimum size of tubes to be gauged. Other tubes move down the inclincdrollei's until'they reach an aper-- tuIe of the proper dimension through which they pass and drop into suitably disposed hoppers 55, 56 and 57 positioned beneath the apertures 52, 53 and 54, respectively. All tubes having diameters above a given range and too large to pass through any ofithe apertures will continue to move downwardly andfinally fall from the ends of the rollers into a suitably positioned receiver 58.

It will be understood that each of the hoppers 55, 56 and57, disposed below the effective gauging apertures serves to accumulate tube; gauged by the respective apertures. Tubes, having thus been separated into groups of given outside diameters, are reassorted for inside diameters by means of a device which calibrates the walls of the tubes. and the tubes of like diameters are, by this means, separated into sub-groups of like wall thicknesses and, consequently, of like inside diameters.

To accomplish this, second separation, a calibrating deviceis preferably employed in a position adjacent to each of the hoppers 55, 56 and 57.- Each device comprises a. reciprocating spindle 59 to which is fastened a supportor'carrier 61 composed of a segmental plate upon which a plurality of callpets are movably. mounted. The selected design of caliper and its operation will be hereinafter more fully described.

Tubes tobe calibrated are moved, preferably by gravity, to rotary platform; 62

where they are positioned to receive the calipers. The platforms are adapted to be revolved about spindles 59, and are provided withiliubs 63 which bear upon the upper ends of 'cylindrical' guides 64 rigidly secured'.. to the plate 2. \Vithin the guides and rotatable about'the shaft 59 are disposed hollow shafts 65 which transmit rotational 1.5.: movementfto the platforms. The platforms 62 are se med to shafts 65 by means of set screws, 66 and these, shafts are capable of being rotated about the spindles 59. Prefpreferably el-ably, two of the spindles 59 are recipro- -{clated by means of their connection with the shaft 35,.and the remaining. spindle through connection to the main driving shaft "36. The connections to the driving shafts consist of links 68, which are pivotallyfattached to the spindles 59 and to fastened to the shafts 35 and 3,6.

Suitablerinechi for mtating the platforms 62includes notched circular plates 71 having 'hubs 72 which are secured to shafts i t r- ,(m. hy-meansof set' screws 76. Plates (1 are .adapteihf-inromperatiou with other mechianjisiu, to effect the intermittent rotation of I the, platftgrl'ns 62 This movement is prefer.-

drive thexpplates T1 and. consequently, the platforms :62. Such mechanisms provide for ably ol ,uned throughsuitably disposed bifurcated embers 74 (see Fig. 3) which are provldetl wi'th-*pms 7 5 and 7 6 positioned to two consecutive ste )s of the rotary movement of each plat orm with the complete 1 revolution of each member 74.

which engages of a collar fastened to the upperend thereof. The notched plates 71 and the platforms 62 Secured thereto are driven in unison by'means of an endless chain 81 with chain sheaves or sprockets 82 secured to'the shafts 79, and with a drive sheave 84 fastened to a vertical shaft 85 journaled in a sleeve 86 secured to the plate .2. The Shaft" 85 is maintained in operative position by the provision of a collar 87 fastened to its upper end. The lower end 88 of the shaft. is provided with a miter gear 89 disposed in mesh with a similar gear, 90 fixed to one end of a horizontal shaft 91 carricd in a bearing 92. Secured to the opposite end of the shaft 91 is a chain sheave 93 connected by means of an endless chain 96 to another sheave ,97 at tached to the driven shaft; 35.

The rotation of the driving shaft 36 rotates the shaft 35 which, in turn, transmits a reciproc'ative motion to the spindles 59 and,

- segments 61 by means of the cranks 69.

-vertical pins 98 and apertures 99 (see Fig.

5). The pins 98 are provided to receive tubes from the hoppers 55, 56 and 57 and to support them in vertical positions to be calibrated. The aperture: 99.-are provided to permit the passa 'e of tubes through the platform after calibration. Each tube-recei'ving pin may beequipped with av spring member 100 secured to an adjacent collar 1 .02 disposed above the aperture 99 and so positioned as to have its end adjacent toa pin 98. Thus, as a tube is positioned on a pin, the wall thereof passes between the spring member 100 and the pin and is maintained in contact with a given side of a pin. By

this means, a tube is automatically adjusted to .a given position on the platform to be calipered. The springs 100 may, ifwlesirable. be omitted as it is evident that the ends of. the caliper arms may be chamfered, as shown, and. therefore, be readily guided over the wall of a tube in the event that a positioned t'uhe does not register. exactly beneath the opening between the-ends of the 1 .5 caliper. Tubes. which have been calipered and dropped through the apertures 99 by the operation ofmechanisms hereinafter described, are guided to bias by means of the collars or guides 102 and chutes 101'.

The calipers for gauging the wall. thicknesses of the tubes preferably comprise arms 108 and 104 which are carried by the sup- 1 ports 61 positioned above platforms 62..

The arm 1O3 of each caliper consists. es

sentially of a rod vertically slidable in 'a suitable hub integral with the segment 61. The arm 104 is constructed to be the rela tively movable member of the calipers and is preferably pivoted in a bearing 105 inmo rod 103. to exert a slight pressure upon the arm 104, causing it to keep "the end 111 of the set screw 106 in contact with the rod 103.

By'means of such adjustable calipers, a calibrating element may be provided with a plurality of predetermined graduated openings to accommodate a given range of thicknesses of tube walls.

Each caliper, as heretofore mentioned, is movable vertlcally 1n 1ts hub, and 1t IS desirable to provide a sultable means for mamtaining each caliper in a normal upper posi tion for a certain period of time. This is accomplished by the provision of a suitablelatch comprising a bent-arm lever 112 which is fulcrumed on a pin 113 in abearing 114 which, in turn, ist referably integral with the support 61. The lever is constructed with an offset portion 115 which provides a stop adapted to be normally retained, by

means of a spring 116, in the path of a pin 117 fixed to the rod or caliper arm 103. The calipers are thus normally held intheir upper positions and are moved into contact with the tubes by the, actuation of the mechanism' which reciprocates the segment or support 61.

"When the segment is moved downwardly and the caliper arms slip over a wall of a tube the thickness of which approximates the distance between the points 107 and 108, the tube is frictionally retained between the said points, and, upon the upward movement of the segment, the tubeis lifted from pin 98 upon which it had previously been positioned.

The co-operating mechanisms .are timed to rotate the platform 62, as the calipers move upwardly, to bring the apertures 99 beneath the suspended tubes at which time mechanisms are actuated. for spreading the calipers to release the, tubes and permit them to drop into suitable containers. A selected releasing means consists of a projection or stop 118 formed integral'with the segme t 61 so disposed in relation to the arm 104 that, as the latch or lever 112 releases the caliper and it drops downwardly, the arm 104 engages the step 118, thereby eti'ecting an inward movement of the-arm and causmg the separatlon of the points 107 and 108 to release a tube.

:In returning the calipers to normal or "closed posit on, they are released from engagement with projection 115 of the lever. 112 by a suitable means which, in the present construction, comprises a rigid bracket 119 secured to the framework of the machine and positioned above the calipers.

gage the arm 121 of the lever 112 to cause the projections 115 to move from the path. of the pins 117 to release the. caliper arms andpermit them todrop, with a consequent opening of the arms thereof, as above explained. ,The calipers may be permitted to drop bydreason of their potential energy; the set screw 120, however, provides for a more positive movement of the calipers in the event that their movement may be retarded by friction. The rod 122 is so arranged as to actuate the latch just previous to the contact between the set screw 120 and the upper end of the rod 103.

The calipers having moved to their lower positions, it becomes necessary to return them to their upper or calibrating positions to be latched. This is accomplished by the downward movement of the segment 61 the actuation of which is timed to move the end 101 of the rod 103 into contact with a' pin 98 which arrests the movement of the said rod and permits a slight downward travel of the lever 112 until the face of the projection 115 has moved to permit the said projection to pass below the pin 117 and thus lock the caliper against independent downward movement. The face of the projection 115 is constructed of sutficientlength to per; mit a constant tensional contact with the pin 117 when the caliper is in its lowest posit on with relation to the segment 61.

Referring to Fig. 7, theprojection 115 is shown as it is-about to pass beneath the pin 117, and Fig; '6- shows the calipers in their lowest position with relation to the segment 61 and with the arm 104 in contact with the stop 118,in which position the points 107 and 108 are opened to release a tube. This figure also shows a tube about to pass through one of the apertures 99 from which ;it is guided by means of chute 101 to a member 6. Preferably this lifting plate is moved in a vertical plane and its upper edge slide downwardly and into-one of the suit-' ably. positioned flared chutes 127 which terminate in a tubular guide 128.

The plate 123 actuates to eject a tube with each upward movement of the segment 61 by means of its connection therewith. The

connection comprises a pin 129 secured to a hub 130 of the segment 61, and the end of this pin is disposed in slidable engagement with a strap oryoke 131 fastened to the underside 132 of the plate 123, by means of tapbolts 133 and'134. The said plate is therefore moved with each movement of the segment 61 and tubes are caused to enter the chute 127 successively.

The open lower end of the guide 128 is disposed directly above the path of travel nate stop-and-release mechanism.

Gil

platform 62.

a means for feeding, the tubes singly to the pins may be provided by any suitable alter- A selected mechanism is illustrated in the drawing as comprising a rocking lever 137 adapted to effect an intermittent stop and release of the tubes moving down the chute 12 8.

'lhis rockinglever 137 is preferably fulcrumed on a projection 138 formed integral with a tubular member 139 carried upon an arm 140 secured to a post 141 which, in

turn, is fastened to the plate 2. The upper endof the lever 137 is provided with a V- notch 142 and is adapted to intermittently press against, and secure a tube in'contact with, the side of the gulde 128, as shown in Fig. 11. An'aperture 145 is provided in the a chute 128 for the entrance of the notched end of the lever 137. The lower end of the lever is bent to provide a right-angle proiection146 which is normally disposed in,

the path of the vtubes.

The rocking lei'er isactuated with each movement of the platform by means of the engagement of a rod 147 with the collars 102 which move with the platform 62. The said rod is fastened to a vertical shaft 148 journaled in a projection 150 of a collar 151 and the arm 140. A movement of the platform 62 moves one'of the collars 1.02 in contact with the rod 147, one end of which lies in the path of movement of the collars to effect the oscillation of the shaft 148 which, .in turn, causes the actuation of the lever 137 through the movement of a finger'155 secured adjacent to the upper end of the shaft 148, and which extends through a slot 156 disposed in the lower arm of the lever 137. A helical spring-158 connected to the said finger and to a pin 157, secured to the arm 140, acts to maintain the said lever in a normal position with the end 146 in the path of the tubes in the chute 128. Thus, the end of the lever 137 normally prevents the downward movement of the tubes, but, as the platform 62 rotates and one of the collars lever 137 is rocked and the notched end thereof is pressed against a tube to temporarily retain it in position, atthe same time 1 the projection 140 is removed from the mth of the lowest tube, permitting it to crop upon one of the pins 98. j

.With each complete revolution of the bifurcated member 7 4, the platform 62 is moved two steps, and the cooperating mechanism is so timed that, during the initial step. the caliper carrier is moving upwardly and the platform is positioned with tube-receiving ins 98 beneath the chutes. The tubes drop onto the pins and, as they are being positioned, the apertures 99 register beneath the calipers, As the carrier moves upwardly, the calipers are first actuated to releaseany 102 bears against the end of the rod 147, the

tubes which may be held between their measuring points, as above explained. I The next progressive movement of the platform brings the pins 98, and, consequently, the

tubes positioned thereon, beneath the calipers andthen the carrier moves downwardly, causing the calipers to calibrate the walls of the tubes and lift one or more tubes from the ins.

Each calibrating device may have asso ciated therewith any number of calipersfeach of which may be adjusted to provide a differently dimensioned calibrating opening; thus, a series of graduated openings are obtained. It -has.been found, in practice, when gauging glass tubes for use in makingrertain lamp parts, that a series of five calipers is sufiic-ient'to provide a range of calibrating openings to accommodate the variation between the wall thicknesses of such tubes.

'It will thus be readily understood that, if the. ends 107 and 108 of the arms of one of the calipers are applied to a positioned tube and the tube is not of the proper thickness to be gripped by the said ends it remains upon the pin, and mechanism operates to move the tube beneath another pair of calipers the ends of which are moved in contact with the walls of the tube; This operation is repeated until the tube is finally claims.

picked up by a pair of calipers and (lestood that many structural changes may be effected therein. As, for instance. where desirable, the rolle's may be" utilizedto separate tubes into groups of a given foutside diameter without the employment of the calibrating devices. Again, the calibrating devices may be employed to separate tubes into groups of given-wall thicknessesyor the mechanism may be arranged in such manner as to provide for the separation of tubes of given inside diameters by means of the said; calipers after which they may be again separated for outside diameters by means of therollers which constitute the gauging element. It is to be understood that'such and other modifications are to be considered within the scope of the appended What is claimed is: 1. In a machine'for gauging the ,outside diameter and the wall thickness 'of tubes, the combination of an element for gauging the diameter of tubes, means for feeding gauged tubes from said gauging element,- means for supporting the gauged tubes of a given diameter in groups, acaliperingelement in operative relation to each group, means for moving said calipering elements to engage and caliper the wall thickness of said supported tubes, means for moving'said calipering elements to remove the tubes from .said supporting means and means for releasing tubes of given diameters P'an'd wall thickness for deposit ina common receptacle.

2., In a tube gauging machine. the combination of a rotary cylindrical tube diameter gauging element adapted'to gauge and discharge gauged tubes of different diameters in groups at a plurality of stages along its length, a plurality of calipering elements for engaging and calipering the walls of the respective groups of gauged'tubes, a carrier for each group of said tubes, means for ac-- tuating said carrier to position said calipering elements in operative relation to said gauging element, means for supporting the respective groups of tubes gauged by said gauging element, means for actuating said calipering elements to engage and caliper the walls of tubes of different thicknesses and means for actuating said calipering elements to release said tubes for deposit in in different groups.

separate groups in accordance with their diameters and wall thicknesses.

3. In a. tube gauging machine, the combination of a gauging element comprising a plurality of pairs of cylinders, a plurality of calipering elements, means for disposing calipering elements in operative relation to each of said pairs of cylinders. means for delivering tubes gauged by said cylinders to. the calipering elements, means for calipering the walls of the delivered tubes and means for actuating said calipering elements to deposit tubes of different all thicknesses 4. A tube asserting machine comprising a plurality of pairs of cylindrical gauging members, means for, applying tubes to said members for-a gauging operation to sepa-. 'rate tubes of different diameters into groups, a calibrating element disposed in operative relation with each group of tubes, means for operating a calibrating element to caliper the walls of tubes of each group and means for actuating said calibrating ele- 'ment to deposit tubes of different wall thicknesses and diameters in different groups.

5. A tube assortmgmachme comprislng a number of cylindrical, tube diameter gauging members positioned to provide a varying spaced relation between the diameters thereof, calibrating elements disposed at intervals along the length of said gauging members, a pluralityv of tube feeding devices disposed in spaced relationv along the length of said gauging members, each device being arranged to receive tubes of a given diameter, means for actuating said devices to feed tubes individually, supporting means for receiving and supporting tubes fed from said devices, means for operating said calipering elements to engage and caliper said supported tubes, means :for movingsaid calibrating elements to gauge and remove tubes from said supports and means for actuating said calipering elements to release calibrated tubes of different wall thicknesses for deposit into different groups.

6. A tube assorting machine comprising a tube diameter gauging member having a plurality-of gauging apertures, a plural ity of calipering elements mounted on a carrier in operative relation to each of the gauging apertures, supporting means for gauged tubes, tube feeding devices for trans ferring gauged tubes from the gauging apertures to said supporting means, means for actuating said carriers to move calipering elements successively in. operative'relation Inn with supported tubes, means for moving said element to gauged tubes and means for de-.

positing tubes having a wall thickness substantially corresponding to the opening of given calipers into separate groups.

16. A machine for assorting a plurality of tubular bodies of varying dimensions C0111- prising a-device including two rollers adapt-:-

ed to provide a plurality of gauging aper tures, means associated with said device for applying tubular bodies to said apertures, means for rotating the rollers in opposite directions to oppose the action of the potential energy of the bodies during their passage between the rollers, means adjacent each of said gauging apertures'for receiving gauged tubes and for supporting the same vertically and caliper elements for calipering the wall thickness of the positioned tubes. a

17. In a machine, the'combination of a gauging element, a pair of stepped rollers positioned to provide a plurality of gauging apertures there between, means for feeding tubular bodies to' said apertures, means for rotating, the rollers .in opposite directions to produce a slight opposition to the potential energy of said bodies during their passage through said apertures for a gauging operation, means for uiding bodies gauged by the several apertures into diiferent groups, means for interiorly engaging said bodies to maintain them in given spaced relation and means for measuring-the wall thickness of said positioned bodies; 18.' In a tube gauging machine, a calibrating device comprising a carrier, a caliper having gauging points mounted on said carrier, means for supporting a tubular object to be calipered, means for tensional- 1y maintaining said gauging points ina given spaced relation, means for moving said caliper to cause the gauging points to make contact withthe opposite sides of the wall of said tubular object to frictionally engage the same and means for actuating said caliper to lift the tubular body from said support. 19. In a tube gauging machine a caliper device comprising a carrier, a caliper havin movable gauging points mounted upon sai carrier, means for supporting a plurality of tubular objects, means for tensionally main: taining said caliper points in a given spaced relation, means ,for actuating said caliper to engage the points thereof with opposite sides of a wall of a tubular object and means for actuating the'caliper to lift the object when the wall thereof is of sufficient thick- .calipere'd, .means whereb 'calipering points, means for tensionally helding each pair of said points in a given spaced relation, means for adjusting said points, means for supporting objects in position to be calipered, means for moving-a pair of caliper points successively in contact with the walls of said objects and means for actuating one of said calipers to lift'an object having a wall of sufiicient thickness to be frictionally engaged by said-caliper points. I 1

22. In a machine, a-- calibrating device comprising a carrier, a plurality-of calipers for gauging the wall thicknesses of tubular objects mounted upon saidcarrier, means for supporting objects in position to becalibrated, means for adjusting the arms of said calipers to provide a series of graduated calibrating openings, means for moving said calipers successively in contact with the wall of said objects'and means for conveying calibrated objectsinto groups having walls of like thicknesses.

23. A machine having a calibrating dea vice comprising a carrier having a plurality of eallpers mounted thereon,- each of said I calipers having a pair of calibrating points,

, having sufiicient dimensions to be frictionally engaged by said caliper points and gneans for releasing said object.

24. In a machine, a calibrating device comprising a carrier having a pluralityof calipers mounted thereon, means for supporting tubular objects in position to said calipers are caused to lift objects 0 given wall thickness, means for changing the relative position of said support and calipers, means for actuating calipers to release objects held thereby andgmdes for leading released tubes to containers. Y

25.--In a machine, a calibrating device comprising a carrier having a plurality of calipers mounted thereon, a support for tubular articles to be calibrated, means for moving the points of each pair of caliper diameters and to deposit tubes of like wall nation of the gauging element vhaving a plurality 'of gauging apertures," a calibrating element, means for actuating said gauging element to affect the passage of gauged tubes through said apertures, means forarranging gauged tubes in position to be calibrated and means for actuating said calibrating element to calibrate the wallsof said tubes ofgiven thickness and diameters in common groups.

8. In a tube-gauging and sorting machine,.

.the combination of two 0 positelyrotatable stepped cylindrical mem ers'positioncd to provide a plurality of gauging apertures therebetween, a calibrating member disposed adjacent to each of the respective apertures, means for feeding tubes to begauged by said apertures, means for positioning gauged tubes for calibration b J said calibrating member, means for actuating the said member to -bring the arms thereof into contact with the walls of said tubes and means foractuatingsaid calipering member to deposit tubes of like dimensions into separate groups.

9. In a tube assorting machine the combination of a stationary member and a rotary member positioned to provide a gauging aperture, therebetween, acalibrating element dlsposed adjacent to said gauging aperture, means for arranging gauged tubes of like diameters in position to be calibrated, means for 'actu-ating said call actuating said calibrating element to engage the walls of said tubes and means for movingsaid element to deposit tubes of like wall thickness and diameters in common grou s.

10. In a tube asserting machine the com ination of a tube diameter gaugingfelement and a wall thickness calibrating element, the

' said gauging element constituting two rollers positioned to provide a pluralit of gauging apertures therebetween, said ca ibrating element comprising a pair of adjustable .arms,

means for directing tubes to. said gauging element for passage through said gauging apertures, means for arranging gauged tubes of like diameters in? position for engagement by said calibratin element and means for rating element to caliper and-deposit tubes having like diameters but of difierent wall thickness in different groups.

11. A machine ,for assembling tubular bodies into'groups of given outside diameters and in re-jassembling the. said groups into other groups of like inside diameters, said machine comprising a pair of rollers disposed to provide a gauging aperture therebetween, aplatform having a plurality of tube receiving pins, means disposed lengths wise of said aperture to guide tubes passing therethrough to given pins, a pair of calipers disposed above each of said pins, means for successivelymoving said calipers in contact with each gauged tube andmeans'for actuatmg the calipers to release a tube when engaged 4 thereby.

guiding tubesreleased by a 12. A machinefor sorting tubular bodies comprising a pair-of stepped rollers having their axiallines parallel and adapted to pr0- vide a plurality of gauging. apertures therebetween, means. for adjusting the relative posltionsof said rollers to vary the spacing of the-gauging apertures, a rotatable plat v form disposed adjacent each" of said apertures, pins arranged at intervals about said platform, a caliper disposed above each of said pins, guide members associated with said rollers and said pins for directing tubes passing through said apertures on to said pins, means for successively moving thelar'ms of the several calipers in contact with the walls of the tubes, means forcausing'said arms to lift a tube from a in and means for actuating said arms to re tube. J 13. A machi according to diameter and wall thickness comprising a pair of rollers positioned adjacent to each other with their axial lines parallel and adapted to provide a gau ing aperture, a rotary platform disposed a jaease a suspended ne for assorting tubular bodies cent to said rollers, said platform having vertical tube-receiving pinspositioned thereon,

a pair of calipers disposed above each- 01 said pins, means for adjusting each caliper with a relatively different arm position, I,

means for guiding tubes which pass through the gaugingaperture to said pins, means for movin the calipers successively in contact with t e walls of the positioned tubes to cause a given tube to be gripped by a given caliper, means for moving a caliper and tube held thereby and means for actuating: the calipers to release a gripped tube.

14. A inachinefor assorting tubular bodies caliper, means for moving a caliper and tube rs successively in contact with the .be gripped between the points of a given held thereby, means for actuating the calipers to release a gripped tube and means for I given caliper to a given com artment'.

15. A mac ine, for assorting tubular objects according to diameter and wall mick ness comprising a gauging element and one or more calibrating elements, said gauging element having aplurality of graduated gauging apertures, eachof said calibrating arms successively in contact with said articles, means for causin said points to grip tubes of a given thic ness, means for actuating said carrier to lift tubes gripped by said calipers, means for changing the relative positions ofsaid carrier, said calipers and means for actuating said calipers to release tubes secured thereby and means for guiding released tubes of like thicknesses into groups.

26. In a machine, a calibrating device comprising a carrier having a plurality of calipers mounted thereon, a support for tubular articles to be calibrated, means for moving the points of each pair of caliper arms successivel articles, means for causing said points to grip tubes of a given thickness, means for actuating said carrier to lift tubes gripped by said calipers, means for changing the relative positions'of said carrier and said calipers, means for actuating an arni of the cali ers to release the tubes and means for gui ing released tubes to respective groups.

27. In a machine, a calibrating device comprising a carrier having a plurality of in contact with said calipers mounted thereon, said calipers being adapted for vertical movement and positioned with their calibrating points depending, a support for tubes to be calipered, said support having a plurality of alternately disposed apertures. and tube receiving pins, said support being positioned beneath said calipers, means for actuating said support to position the apertures and pins successively beneath said calipers,.means for moving said support to engage said caliper points with the walls of said tubes, means for causing the caliper points to grip tubes, means for raislng sald calipers, means for moving the said support to b ing said apertures beneath said calipers, means for releasing gripped tubes to permit them to pass through said apertures and means for guiding tubes fromthe respective apertures -to containers.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 7th day of May, 1921.

" HARRY DE FOREST MADDEN. JOHN JOSEPH HIGGINS. 

